‘Cosby’ May Wear Thin In A Few Weeks
Bill Cosby’s return to series comedy is a mixed bag of old and new which, when it’s good, is very good. Other times it is tired and tedious.
It should take off big but could become old fast.
“Cosby” (CBS at 8) is something of an oddity: It is a sitcom that makes no apologies for targeting an older audience. There are no cute kids or grandkids, and the twentysomething characters are mainly on the sidelines.
Cosby plays Hilton Lucas, an airline worker “downsized” after 30 years. Jobless and cranky, he tests the patience of his wife, Ruth (Phylicia Rashad), and gets into trouble in the working-class Queens, N.Y., neighborhood where they live.
Madeline Kahn co-stars as Ruth’s co-worker and friend. T’Keyah Crystal Keymah plays the Lucas’ daughter, a recent law-school graduate who has put practicing law on hold.
The comedy, based on a hit British series, has a warm and comfortable feel, especially when Cosby and his “The Cosby Show” co-star Rashad are on screen.
There are times when the dialogue is focused, funny and smart. More often, it’s slow and stale.
Cosby’s trademark mugging is overused, and the more he’s on camera, the more conscious you become that there are too-few sharp laughs.
I watched the first three episodes, two of which had the same ending - Hilton being forgiven by Ruth with the promise of sex upstairs. Yuck.
The telling factor for “Cosby” will be the difference between this week’s rating and the next few weeks. I have a feeling that a lot of people will get their curiosity satisfied tonight.
Next week, when NBC premieres “The Jeff Foxworthy Show” at 8, and in two weeks when ABC launches “Dangerous Minds,” you’ll see the “Cosby” numbers take a tumble.
Highlights
“Greatest Sports Moments of All Time,” ABC at 10: Al Michaels hosts this sports highlights special.
“All-New All-Star TV Censored Blooper-Palooza,” NBC at 8: Again? Lea Thompson (“Caroline in the City”) and Brandy Norwood (“Moesha”) join host Dick Clark.
“Pearl,” CBS at 8:30: Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) returns to prime time as a scrappy (what else?) widow who returns to college. She runs headlong into a snooty humanities professor played with lofty flair by Malcolm McDowell.
It’s “Educating Rita” with a pleasant, older-woman twist. The supporting characters are mainly annoying, and you wonder where things can go after tonight.
“Murphy Brown,” CBS at 9: Lily Tomlin is just what the declining series needs. She joins the cast in the season premiere, in which her character, Kay Carter-Shepley, becomes “FYI” executive producer.
“Sweet Dreams” (1996), NBC at 9: Tiffani-Amber Thiessen stars in this not-completely stupid (from me, that’s a compliment) thriller about a woman with amnesia found washed ashore in a small coastal town. To the writer’s credit, you’re kept guessing for a while before the plot unravels.
A Martinez, Amy Yasbeck and David Newsom co-star.
“Football,” ABC at 6: Pittsburgh (1-1) hosts Buffalo (2-0).
“Cybill,” CBS at 9:30: In the season opener, Cybill (Cybill Shepherd) goes to work on a kids show and falls in love with a cast member - an unwanted pig.
“Chicago Hope,” CBS at 10: The new season begins with a lot up in the air as nasty Tommy Wilmette (guest star Ron Silver) takes charge of the hospital and has his ex-wife, Austin (Christine Lahti), suspended.
Rocky Carroll (“Roc”) joins the cast. Mark Harmon (“St. Elsewhere”) is another scheduled addition. Both will play new docs.
Cable Calls
“Our Sons” (1991), LIF at 9: Julie Andrews and Ann-Margret starred in this well-intended but not altogether effective story of two mothers dealing with their gay sons, one of whom has AIDS. Hugh Grant and Zeljko Ivanek co-star.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”) and a musical performance from “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.”
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Tim Allen (“Home Improvement”) and singer Suzanne Vega.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Repeat - to be announced.